On the red carpet at Sunday's BAFTA Awards in London, the actor's friend and costar in The Imitation Game, Allen Leech, said Cumberbatch, 38, is simply thrilled to be expecting his first child. "He's very excited about it and so is Sophie [Hunter]."

The Sherlock star announced his engagement to theatre director Hunter in the UK's The Times newspaper last November and, in January, the actor's rep confirmed to PEOPLE they were expecting a baby.

The British actor was one of the last to arrive at the BAFTA Awards ceremony, which take place every year at the Royal Opera House, and spent little time on the red carpet. Perhaps he was keen to be at the side of his pregnant fiancée who wore a loose-fitting, chic black halter neck dress to the awards.

Benedict Cumberbatch can't wait for his next role – becoming a dad.

On the red carpet at Sunday's BAFTA Awards in London, the actor's friend and costar in The Imitation Game, Allen Leech, said Cumberbatch, 38, is simply thrilled to be expecting his first child. "He's very excited about it and so is Sophie [Hunter]."

The Sherlock star announced his engagement to theatre director Hunter in the UK's The Times newspaper last November and, in January, the actor's rep confirmed to PEOPLE they were expecting a baby.

The British actor was one of the last to arrive at the BAFTA Awards ceremony, which take place every year at the Royal Opera House, and spent little time on the red carpet. Perhaps he was keen to be at the side of his pregnant fiancée who wore a loose-fitting, chic black halter neck dress to the awards.

"I wish there was something that he wasn't perfect at," admits Irish-born Leech (who also plays widower Tom Branson in Downton Abbey). "He's an excellent runner, he's so fit, he's a great cook, he's a great friend and he'll be a great dad."